Darke County veterans welcomed at 100th anniversary event

Gathered around one of the tables in the meeting room at the Darke County Extension Office and enjoying doughnuts and coffee were these veterans commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I. They are, from left to right, Chuck Shields, Larry McLear, Tom Whitton and Jack Sloat.

GREENVILLE — In observance of the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I, the Fort GreeneVille Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) served local veterans doughnuts and coffee in the meeting room at the Darke County Extension Office on Wagner Avenue Thursday morning.

DAR Regent Debbie Nisonger said this is the second such event for veterans.

“The first one was for the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor in December,” Nisonger said. “That was a great turnout.”

Foster, who served in the Air Force from 1964-68 serving at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base mostly, said he enjoys these breakfasts because he gets to see people he hasn’t seen in a long time.

“This is veterans talking together over breakfast,” he said.

He was seen talking to Aultman, another Air Force veteran, who served in security service most of the time in Germany from 1962-66.

Even though both he and Foster were in the Air Force, Aultman said their careers were quite different.

“I was a Morse Code intercept operator,” Aultman said.

McClear, an Army veteran who served from 1965-67 in Vietnam, with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade also enjoys getting together with other veterans.

“We were the Army’s first light infantry brigade,” said McLear. who brought with him a booklet of that featured his unit at a road sign dedication from Union City to Greenville. “We had no artillery; we had no armor. The 198th has a reunion every other year and there will be one this year.”

Whitton said he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II and noted that he was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943-46.

Steve Becker, who served in Vietnam and was a member of the Army from 1971-73, showed up at the event and said he was unable to attend the last doughnut/coffee breakfast as he was in the VA Hospital when it took place.

Shields served with the U.S. Marines from 1966-69 in Vietnam.

Sloat is a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served from 196573.

“I was in Reserves part of that time,” he said. ” I never had to go out of the country.”

Thursday’s event was held from 9 to 11 a.m. with doughnuts provided by the Eikenberry’s IGA, the DAR and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7262 Boosters.

Gathered around one of the tables in the meeting room at the Darke County Extension Office and enjoying doughnuts and coffee were these veterans commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I. They are, from left to right, Chuck Shields, Larry McLear, Tom Whitton and Jack Sloat.

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/34/2017/04/web1_veteransdonuts1PRINT.jpgGathered around one of the tables in the meeting room at the Darke County Extension Office and enjoying doughnuts and coffee were these veterans commemorating the 100th anniversary of the United States entering World War I. They are, from left to right, Chuck Shields, Larry McLear, Tom Whitton and Jack Sloat.

This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

This writer may be reached at 937-569-4315. Follow her on Facebook and join the conversation and get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.